Upcoming Events
Wednesday, Feb 2nd: NO SCHOOL, grading day
Wednesday, Feb 2nd: See below for instructions on dropping off Covid tests!
Sunday, Feb 6th, 10:00am: LGBTQ+ and Allies Group at Tugman Park
Wednesday, Feb 9, 5:30: Parent Council (Zoom)
Thursday, Feb 10th, 6:30-7:30: 1619 Project Book Club (Zoom TBA)
Administrator's Message
Hello Village School Families
We hope you and your family are doing well as we transition out of the month of January and into February.
Since 1976 February has been designated as Black History Month. The idea dates back to 1915 with the establishment of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Headed by historian Carter Woodsen and minister Jesse E. Moorland, the organization sponsored the first Negro History Week in 1926 with the goal of celebrating the contributions of Black people to American history, society, and culture.
Our staff has been developing new curriculum and teaching strategies to address a compendium of topics under the umbrella of diversity, equity and inclusion since the winter of 2016. We all agree this is a serious undertaking and that we will never stop examining and improving upon our knowledge on this topic.
The Village School Parent Council has also been addressing these themes and issues. Fortunately, the timing is such that we confirmed today two parents will volunteer to co-facilitate a Parent Council sponsored book study group beginning on February 10th. The book is, The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story, created by Nikole Hannah-Jones, and The New York Times Magazine.
In Ms. Hannah-Jones words recorded January 6, 2022, Redmond Free Press, she stated the following about the book, “For anyone who comes to it with an open mind, it is going to be deeply surprising. They’re going to learn so much about both the history of their country, but also the history that shapes so much of modern American life.”
Masks are Critical for the Safety of Oneself and Others
We recommend the use of high quality masks such as the N95, KN95 or KF94. Here are two links: OHA mask recommendation and Types of masks. A well fitting mask is extremely important. We have KF94's for students in the office.
Symptom Screening, Stay Home if Ill and Seeking Tests and Vaccinations
We appreciate how our families are following the basic idea that if a child is ill, even with non-Covid-19 like symptoms, to err on the side of caution and to keep them at home. Please continue to screen your child for symptoms each morning before leaving home for school.
If you need more information about seeking Covid-19 testing or obtaining a vaccine, use Testing & Vaccine Locator.
Thank you for participating, as you can, in our dedicated and caring school community.
Warmly,
Shannon, Sue, Bob and Andy
Monthly LGBTQ+ and Allies Gathering!
Sarah Maxwell and her family will be "hosting" a monthly gathering at Tugman park, the first Sunday morning of each month at 10:00 am, at the picnic tables on the Hillyard side of the park. The meetings are open to all LGBTQ families & allies, with the simple mission of just building community.
There is no need to RSVP or commit to bringing anything. Since Village School is continuing to mask outdoors for playtime, our group will be doing the same. Students of all ages and their families are welcome and encouraged to join in! The dates of the gatherings will be Sunday, 10:00 am on Feb 6, Mar 6, April 3, May 1, and June 5.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Book Study
The Parent Council is sponsoring a book study of the text The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story created by Nikole Hannah-Jones and the New York Times.
The project which led to the book, sought to reframe the United States history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of the U.S. historical narrative.
The first meeting will be on Thursday, February 10, 6:30 to 7:30 PM. It has been proposed there will be six group sessions that will be held every two weeks via zoom. The group will read three chapters in preparation for each meeting. A person may attend all six sessions consecutively or the sessions their schedule will allow. The goal is to make a welcoming environment for all that want to attend all or in part.
When conditions permit the group will consider when to shift to in-person meetings. A limited supply of the book is available for check out at the school office.
“A Word of Warning” From NY Times Magazine
People interested in participating in the book discussion please consider the following cautionary statement.
There is gruesome material in these stories, material that readers will find disturbing. That is, unfortunately, as it must be. American history cannot be told truthfully without a clear vision of how inhuman and immoral the treatment of black Americans has been. By acknowledging this shameful history, by trying hard to understand its powerful influence on the present, perhaps we can prepare ourselves for a more just future. That is the hope of this project.
Traffic Safety
Parents and Guardians we need your help on an important safety issue.
During Drop off and Pick up on E. 35th Ave, you are required to do the following.
Approach the school from Donald Street. This reduces two way traffic on 35th Ave.
Use Drop-Off zone for Drop off only. (At the curb near the stairs leading to the school)
Always park in the correct direction and on the correct side of the street.
Do not park on the wrong side of the street. Do not stop cars in the middle of the street.
Have children exit on Curb Side of car, not the street side
Please say your “goodbyes” before you stop and avoid lingering
Children walking through a knot of automobiles is dangerous. Thank you for your attention to this critical safety issue.
Village School Health and Safety Committee Updates
Booster Shots required by February 14 for Staff and Volunteers
All staff, unless they already have an approved exemption on file, are required to have a booster shot by February 14. Staff that do not have their booster by February 14 will be required to get tested weekly via OHA/Willamette Toxicology. Even if staff have their two vaccinations, but not a booster shot they will be required to submit test results weekly.
All volunteers must also have a booster shot by February 14. There are no medical or religious exemptions for volunteers. They must be up-to-date with their vaccinations – meaning they must have a booster.
Volunteers in Classrooms
When a volunteer has completed and signed the Covid protocol packet/contract teachers may consider scheduling one of the qualified volunteers to assist.
Only one qualified volunteer at a time may assist a teacher for indoor activities.
The number of qualified volunteers that may assist on a field trip is limited to three.
WANTED: Kitchen Volunteers
We need a cadre of reliable volunteers in the kitchen to help clean tables. If you can commit to one or more days each week from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm contact Toña in the Kitchen as soon as possible: taguilar@eugenevillageschool.org.
Mixing Cohorts at Recess
We are pausing the plan for mixing lower grades cohorts for outdoor recess. We will revisit this at a later date.
Grades 5 and 6 will be able to use any zone at their lunch recess. These grades will continue to use assigned zones during the morning recess.
Reading Buddies
Will continue to take place outside or in the Commons and not in classrooms.
Buddy pairs must maintain 3 ft or more distance, and of course wear masks.
Test to Stay
We aren’t implementing the Test to Stay program at this time. With the advent of Omicron we want to be extra safe. Plus with the new 6 ft spacing setup for meals and snacks, we should expect to see fewer students cited as close contacts for quarantine. We will revisit the possibility of implementing Test to Stay after the Omicron surge has passed.
Dropping off COVID spit tests on a no school day
We don't have school on Wednesday but you can still drop off your child's weekly COVID spit test on Wednesday at the UofO Community Testing site at MacArthur Court, 601 University St. Just ask one of the site supervisors how to find the K-12 drop-off box.
Village School Kitchen
Goodbye January! Welcome February!
You can always find our current monthly menus on the Kitchen tab of The Village School website. Paper copies are also available in the office if you'd like to take one home and hang it on your refrigerator to see what meals to expect on school days.
If you are interested in seeing the total carbohydrate counts for breakfasts and lunches you can find those on our website as well. Thank you Jennifer Chastain for your generous contribution of time and energy in determining this nutritional information.
February 1st is Spaghetti Day! Fifth grade students, Jill and Leah, created our menu board for tomorrow's lunch.
Counseling Corner
Library News
Class Library Visits and Student Book Choice
We are making the transition from me visiting classes with a cart of books to whole class visits to the library. I am very excited for students to have more books available to them. As a reminder, our library honors student choice in book selection. The library's mission is to provide a wide range of current materials relevant to the school’s curriculum and readers’ interest. We encourage an active learning environment that supports critical thinking, curiosity, creativity, and diversity, with the goal of establishing a lifelong appreciation of reading and literature.
To meet this goal, the library has a wide range of books that appeal to different ages and interests, including early readers, picture books, graphic novels, chapter books, nonfiction, and teen fiction. Student choice in book selection for check out is honored with the understanding that parents reserve the final decision on what their child is reading. An exception is the “Young Adult” section which is restricted to grades 5-8 and contains books with more mature themes and/or language. I highly encourage parents to know their child’s class library visit schedule and check in with their child that day about what they checked out from the library. If you have concerns about what your child is choosing from the library, I am happy to discuss concerns with you and/or recommend alternative books.
Molly Bautista, VS Librarian
February Parent Council Meeting
Please join us and send questions and ideas to parentcouncil@eugenevillageschool.org.
The notes from past meetings can be found here.
Every Village School parent and guardian is a part of Parent Council - The Virtual Parent Council Meetings are open to all parents and guardians on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.
You can also engage with Village School families on the Parent Council Facebook page, The Village Vine!
Don't forget to sign in to HelpCounter and report your hours so we can see the amazing contributions from our Village School Families
Enrichments
Middle Schoolers show off their Sewing Enrichment projects!
6th through 8th graders have the opportunity to choose from a variety of enrichment classes on Friday afternoons. Sewing, Hip Hop, Robotics and Study Hall are a few examples.
Daruma Dolls in 2nd Grade
The second grade making Japanese Daruma dolls with papier mache
LTD Passes Available!
The Village School has worked with 4j and LTD to make touchpasses available to Village School students!
Fill out the form below to sign up and provide permission for your Village School student to have a card. Then come into the office to have a card assigned to your child!
If you have a child that does not attend Village School, please contact their school to see if they have touchpasses available for students. We are only able to provide passes to Village School Students.
